Robert j



(No Modl BUTTON. No. 568,357. Patented Sept. 29; 1896.

x vm Q NITED STATES PATENT union. 7

ROBERT J. KYLE, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

BUTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,357, dated September 29, 1896. Application filed January 18, 1896. Serial N 575,997. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. KYLE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Buttons, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

My invention relates to buttons which are adapted to be fastened to the article upon which they are to be used by means other than sewing. Its object is to provide a button which will be strong, serviceable, and cheap, and which can be readily applied to cloth or other material.

My invention consists of the structure hereinafter set forth.

My invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 shows the form of blank into which I cut the sheet metal. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of this blank after it has been bent into circular form. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the blank after its final compression. Fig.4 is a side view of thebutton complete. Fig. 5 is a bottom view.

Similar letters indicate similar parts in the different figures.

In carrying out my invention I proceed in the following manner: I take a piece of sheet metal, preferably sheet-steel, although brass or other suitable metal can be used, and cut from it a blank a of the form shown in Fig. 1. This blank can be cut out by a suitable stamping-machine or by any other available means, the particular means employed being no part of my invention. The blank consists of a main strip or portion 1) and projecting prongs c, which are preferably made wider at their inner ends at d and pointed at their outer ends. The strip 1) is comparatively long and narrow. Its length is regulated according to the circumference of the button to be made. Its width is regulated according to the distance desired between theouter edge of the completed button and the outside of the shank. The ends of the strip are preferably cut off diagonally, as shown in Fig. 1, so that when the blank is bentaround and compressed in the manner hereinafter described these ends will be brought together so as to form a neat and accurate joint. The prongs c, which are adapted to form the shank of the button, project only from one side of the strip 1), as shown. 6 e are projections which are preferablyformed in cutting the blank between the prongs. The purpose of these projections e e is to fill up the opening that would otherwise be left between the lower ends of the prongs when the blank is compressed into its final shape. The top part of the strip a is formed with a slight groove or vdepression at g, extending along the top edge of the strip above the horizontal lines shown on the face of the strip in Figs. 1 and 2, said groove or depression being adapted to receive the bent-over end of the button shell or face and make it flush with the back of the button, as shown in Fig. 3. I then bend the blank a into circular form, such as shown in Fig. 2, bringing the ends of the strip 1) together. This can be done by any suitable means, the particular device employed for this purpose being no part of my present invention. I then, by means of suitable dies or suitable mechanism of any kind,-

compress this circular piece of metal, so as to flatten out the strip, thereby forming the back of the button, and so as to force the prongs nearer to one another and to the center of the button, and thereby form the shank of the button. The side of the strip 1) from which the prongs 0 project is contracted in diameter and made to form the inner part or edge of the back of the button. This contraction in the diameter of the metal at the point from which the prongs project'has the effect of bringing the prongs nearer together and nearer to the center of the button, and thus bringing them into proper position to form the shank of the button. The lower part of the prongs is also preferably flattened out to some extent, thus forming what might be called the rounding portion, connecting the back of the button proper with the shank proper. The inner ends 02 of the prongs are made of such a width that when they are compressed the edges of these wide portions are brought together for a short distance, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. If the projections 6 were omitted, there would be triangular openings or spaces at the back of the button. In order that such openings may be obviated and the back of the button may be made of substantially continuous metal, the projections e are formed when the blank a is cut. hen the blank is compressed, these projections fill up the space that would otherwise be left vacant.

In Fig. 3 the button is shown in its completed form after compression. In this figure also a top shell f is shown as applied to the button-body. This shell can be of any suitable form and can be fastened to the button-body in any ordinary way. This shell incloses the outer edge of the strip 1) and counteracts any tendency there may be on the part of the blank to open out at the joint where its two ends are brought together.

A great variety of dies or other devices or means can be employed for doing the cutting and compressing required in carrying out my improved method. I do not herein describe any such devices, as they form no part of the present invention.

The button is applied to the garment or cloth or other material by passing the prongs a through the material and bending the prongs over in any suitable way, so as to engage them with the material itself or with any suitable form of cap or fastening device.

My improved button is especially adapted for use with the fastener or cap described in my prior application, Serial No. 545,569.

My improved button can be very easily and economically made.

Very little metal is wasted in cutting out the blank. For example, two blanks can be cut out from one rectangular piece of metal, the prongs of one blank being dovetailed with the prongs of the other blank. The operations of cutting and bendingand compressing the metal are exceedingly simple and can be carried on at very slight cost. The button is strong and durable and can be readily applied to the cloth or other material.

In the form illustrated in the drawings I have shown four prongs. The number of the prongs can of course be changed according to circumstances.

lVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A button-body consisting of a single strip of sheet metal bent in circular form and flattened so as to bring its ends together and form the back of the button, and prongs integral with the strip projecting from the inner edge thereof forming the shank of the button, substantially as set forth.

2. A button-body consisting of a single strip of sheet metal having its ends cut off diagon ally bent in circular form and flattened so as to bring its ends together and form the back of the button, and prongs integral with the strip projecting from the inner edge thereof forming the shank of the button, substantially as set forth.

3. A button-bod y consisting of a single strip of sheet metal having its ends cut oif diagonallybent in circular form and flattened so as to bring its ends together and form the back of the button, and prongs integral with the strip projecting from the inner edge thereof with wide bases and narrower ends forming the shank of the button, the wide portions coming together at their edges forsome distance, substantially as set forth.

at. A button-body consisting of the strip Z) bent in circular form and flattened, having its ends in contact or juxtaposition, forming the back of the button, and the prongs c with the wide bases d forming the shank of the button, substantially as set forth.

5. A button-body consisting of the strip 1) bent in circular form and flattened having its ends in contact or juxtaposition, forming the back of the button, and the prongs c with the wide bases d forming the shank of the button, and the projections e, substantially as set forth.

6. A button consisting of the strip 1) bent in circular form and flattened, having its ends in contact or juxtaposition, forming the back of the button, the prongs c with the wide bases (Z forming the shank of the button, and the top shell f, substantially as set forth.

. ROBERT J. KYLE.

\Vitncsses:

SIDNEY MANN, EDWIN SEGER. 

